East German Soldier Recognizes U.S. Cold War Pilot--and Is Now His Bishop

During the height of the Cold War, from 1977-1982, I was a U.S. Air Force pilot stationed in Germany. Our squadron had the responsibility to verify on a regular basis that the Berlin air corridors were kept exactly on track for Western Allied flights in and out of West Berlin. These corridors were established at the end of the second World War to assure Western Allies would have air access in and out of Berlin across Russian-occupied East Germany, and were made famous during the Berlin Airlift from 1948-1949.

Our squadron aircraft had a large electronic system on board that enabled us to accurately measure the course of the corridor centerline and assure that Allied aircraft stayed within the authorized limits, else they were subject to being shot down as a spy plane.